Cabbage Romanesco: health benefits and harms

Romanesco is a cabbage that is unusual in appearance and useful in composition. The product is dietary, well absorbed. Vegetable culture is a hybrid of cauliflower and broccoli, it is grown in warm regions with moderate watering and using alkaline top dressing.

What is romanesco

The culture belongs to the cabbage family. Cultivated vegetable in Italy, improved in Holland. The head of cabbage consists of light green buds that grow in a spiral and give the plant an alien look. Inflorescences are surrounded by leaves.

They use only the head of a vegetable crop; it tastes like seaweed. There is no pungent smell and bitterness. Sweet product with a creamy nutty note. This cabbage is also called coral, it has a lot of dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins. Heads of cabbage can have different sizes and weights. Mostly they weigh no more than 0.5 kg. The better the care, the larger the cabbage.

Kinds

There are several main varieties of romanesco:

1. Emerald goblet. A variety of medium ripening. The weight of cabbage is approximately 500 g.
2. Pearl. Ripening period is medium late, weight - about 800 g.
3. Puntoverde. Cabbage is large enough - up to 1.5 kg. This variety is characterized by medium ripening.
4. Veronica. As in the previous version, the ripening time is average, the weight of the heads of cabbage is the maximum of all varieties - about 2 kg.

Composition and calorie content

The product is low-calorie, 100 g contains only 30 kcal. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the composition of 4.2, 2.5, 0.3 g, respectively. Romanesco contains water, dietary fiber, ash, starch, volatile, organic and unsaturated fatty acids.

The vitamin composition is represented by vitamins of group B (B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9), A (and its provitamin), E, ​​C, H, K. Of the minerals, the composition contains phosphorus, sodium, zinc, potassium , manganese, magnesium. In addition, cabbage contains iron, copper, selenium, fluorine, calcium.

Useful properties of Romanesco cabbage

1. The vegetable does not cause allergic reactions and helps get rid of the metallic taste in the mouth, restores the sensitivity of taste buds in case of taste disorders.
2. The product helps to stop the processes of decay and fermentation in the intestines, strengthen teeth and bones, restore cells in inflammatory processes.
3. Cabbage is included in the diet menu in the fight against obesity.
4. Romanesco is also used to maintain the normal functioning of the kidneys, liver, pancreas and thyroid gland.

Doctors recommend that Romanesco cabbage be included in the diet during the period of bearing the child, since it contains a lot of folic acid. During pregnancy, the need for a high level of this substance increases. Folic acid intake begins when planning pregnancy and continues until it is completed, additionally consuming foods containing this component.

Useful properties are as follows:

1. Improving cerebral circulation. Due to the positive effect on the functioning of the central organ of the central nervous system, more oxygen enters the cells.
2. Strengthening the heart muscle. When using the product, the body receives substances important for the heart - vitamins B, K, omega-3. As a result, the heart rate normalizes.
3. Protection against the harm of free radicals. Cabbage of the species in question contains antioxidants and fiber. When a vegetable is introduced into the diet, the risk of developing cancer processes is reduced.
4. Protection against infectious diseases. Minerals, vitamins and antioxidants increase the body's defenses necessary to combat harmful microorganisms.
5. Normalization of sugar level, elimination of bad cholesterol. Fiber helps to normalize the content of these substances in the blood.
6. Vision improvement. Vitamin A helps restore a healthy state of the organ of vision. In spiral inflorescences it is contained in large quantities. With a sufficient level of vitamin A, macular degeneration in the retina is prevented.
7. Recovery of impaired digestive system. Dietary fiber of cabbage helps to improve the functioning of the digestive tract and contribute to the gentle removal of toxins, heavy metals.
8. Stimulation of blood circulation. Iron is sent to activate the production of red blood cells, as a result, the full-fledged process of supplying oxygen to tissues and organs is restored.
9. Strengthening the nervous system. The components of the product help fight stress and insomnia.

A powerful vitamin-mineral composition contributes to the development of such effects:

• metabolic acceleration;
• partial cleansing of the body of harmful cholesterol and toxic substances;
• increasing the elasticity of the vascular walls, strengthening the vessels;
• normalization of blood coagulation;
• improvement in diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids;
• strengthening the nail plate, giving a healthy look to the hair;
• restoration of intestinal microflora;
• protection against cancer, atherosclerosis, pathological processes in the lungs;
• inhibition of the formation and development of tumor cells;
• elimination of bleeding disorders.

If you regularly use romanesco, the body will be easier to cope with pathogens of infections. In addition, the process of repairing damaged skin areas will accelerate.

If the child has no health problems, Romanesco is given as complementary foods from 8 months. Given the attractive appearance of the vegetable, most likely, in more adult years, the baby will eat it with pleasure.

Harm and contraindications

Romanesco cabbage does not always benefit the body. When using it, certain harm is possible for people who are prone to increased gas formation and are prone to diarrhea (with careful introduction of the product into the diet, the problem may not arise). The same applies to people with acute heart disease and severe thyroid disorders.

There are a number of contraindications:

1. Acute cardiological diseases. It is necessary to refuse all products containing dietary fiber, because they increase blood pressure in the vessels.
2. Serious abnormalities in the thyroid gland (possibly worsening).
3. Individual intolerance to the constituents of the product. It is rarely detected, but an allergic reaction can still develop.
4. A tendency to digestive upsets, such as increased gas, diarrhea, and bloating. In such cases, cabbage can be left in the diet, but not in fresh, but in cooked form. It can be cooked and stewed. It is not recommended to fry, because it destroys beneficial substances.

Excessive consumption of cabbage harms even healthy people. Unpleasant consequences appear in the form of increased gas formation, bloating, diarrhea. If such violations are observed even in cases where the product is rarely and in moderation in the diet, it is better to heat it. In addition, in order for the vegetable to be better digested, you do not need to combine it with fatty meat, legumes, mushrooms.

How to choose and store

Going to a store or market, you need to carefully examine the cabbage:

1. The fetus selected must not be deformed. The form is pyramidal, there are no injuries and bruises.
2. The leaves are fresh, not twisted at the cut, there are no spots.
3. The surface of the fruit is not covered with snow powder or crushed ice.

Romanesco can be purchased not only fresh, but also canned. It should be borne in mind that after harvesting the vegetable can not be stored in the refrigerator for a long time, because it spoils quickly. But it can be frozen, and then all the nutrients will be preserved. Thanks to deep freezing, useful cabbage can be consumed at any time of the year.

How to cook Romanesco cabbage: recipes

Cabbage of this species is widely used in cooking. It is stewed, baked, boiled, fried (but not for long and with the addition of a small amount of oil), cooked on the grill and using the steam method. An unusual vegetable is consumed separately and used for cooking casseroles, salads, appetizers, side dishes, soups. By adding an ingredient such as Romanesco, the dishes are given a pleasant creamy nutty flavor.

Cabbage is combined with seafood, fish, lean meat (turkey, chicken), other vegetables and is used as an original decoration. It is supplemented by sources of complex carbohydrates (buckwheat, whole grain pasta, quinoa, brown rice). The vegetable is prepared in the same way as cauliflower, but it is easier to digest. There are many recipes for cooking Romanesco as an independent dish with a peculiar taste.

Cabbage salad

Ingredients:

• cabbage - head of cabbage;
• turkey meat (fillet) - 300 g;
• carrots, onions, bell pepper - 1 pc.;
• garlic - 1 clove.

Cooking:

1. The fillet is cut and sent to the pan. Small pieces of turkey meat are prepared with minimal heating of the plate by the method of quenching.
2. Stew the meat for 15 minutes, during the preparation of the ingredient, chopped vegetables are added.
3. In parallel, for 15 minutes (no longer, otherwise the vegetable will fall apart), Romanesco is boiled in salt water. Cabbage should become soft, while remaining elastic. Then it is cooled and disassembled into inflorescences.
4. All products are combined, salt and pepper are added to them to taste, mixed. Garlic is put in a salad last.

Omelet with Romanesco

The dish is hearty and healthy, quickly cooked. This is a great breakfast option. The main thing is to prepare mushrooms and cabbage in the evening.

Ingredients:

• cabbage - 150 g;
• cheese - 50 g;
• mushrooms - 3-5 pcs.;
• eggs - 4 pcs.;
• tomatoes - 2 pcs.;
• flour - 1 tbsp;
• onion - half;
• soy sauce and spices to taste.

Cooking:

1. Cabbage is sorted into inflorescences and boiled in salted water for 5 minutes.
2. Mushrooms scalded with boiling water. Mushrooms are used in this recipe (oyster mushrooms are also enough to scald), but you can take other mushrooms and boil them for 15 minutes.
3. The cooled mushrooms are cut into plates, the onions are chopped into cubes, the tomatoes are cut into circles.
4. Beat eggs, then add spices, flour, cheese and mix until smooth.
5. Lightly fried onions are mixed with tomatoes and kept on the stove until the liquid evaporates.
6. Mushrooms and cabbage are poured into the pan. The ingredients are mixed.
7. After 1 minute, eggs are poured and, with minimal heating, bring them to readiness (approximately 7 minutes are required).

Mashed soup

Ingredients:

• Romanesco - 1 head of cabbage;
• carrots, potatoes, onions, bell peppers - 1 pc.

Cooking:

1. Boil the cabbage, the cooled product is divided into parts. Water is not poured, it is still useful.
2. The remaining vegetables are peeled and diced. Combine with Romanesco and pour into a pan with a thick bottom, where vegetable oil was previously poured. The contents of the pan are passerized with minimal heating.
3. Cabbage water is added to the vegetables, they are cooked for 10 minutes.
4. Using a blender, the contents of the pan are mashed.

Inflorescences in batter

Cabbage is soft and tender inside, and a crisp forms on top. It is cooked in large quantities of oil. The dish is high-calorie, but tasty.

Ingredients:

• cabbage - 1 head of cabbage;
• flour - 3 tbsp .;
• eggs - 3 pcs.;
• spice.

Cooking:

1. Cabbage inflorescences are boiled for 4 minutes, then they are transferred to ice water.
2. Prepare batter. The remaining ingredients are mixed until smooth.
3. Pour a lot of oil into a deep frying pan and heat it, only after this action they begin to fry the product.
4. Cabbage is dipped in batter and sent to the pan for 20-30 seconds. To get rid of excess fat, the finished product is laid out in a colander.

Such cabbage can be used with mashed potatoes, boiled rice. This is a good side dish for meat.

Coral cabbage baked with cheese

Ingredients:

• head of cabbage;
• flour - 2 tbsp. ;
• butter - 30 g;
• milk - 1 tbsp .;
• vegetable oil for greasing the pan;
• herbs to taste;
• grated cheese to form a golden crust.

Cooking:

1. Inflorescences are dipped in salt boiling water for 10 minutes.
2. In a frying pan, heat the butter, then add the flour and fry it for about 1 minute.
3. Pour milk in small portions, constantly stirring the mixture. If the sauce is not stirred, lumps form.
4. A sufficient amount of vegetable oil is poured onto a baking sheet and distributed throughout the area.
5. Spread the boiled cabbage, add the sauce, then herbs and cheese. Prepare the dish until a delicious crust appears.

Healthy vegetable salad

The main thing is to choose a quality product. It should be dense, with a greenish color, without black spots. To make the salad as useful as possible, it is recommended to use vegetable oil as a dressing. It can be mixed with additional ingredients such as lemon juice, spices, mustard.

Ingredients:

• cabbage - 1 head of small size;
• Bulgarian pepper, tomato - 1 pc.;
• daikon - 150 g;
• ring of lemon;
• vegetable oil - 1-2 tbsp;
• lemon juice - 1 tbsp;
• mustard seeds - 3 tbsp .;
• dill - about 6 branches;
• pepper, salt.

Cooking:

1. Inflorescences are boiled in boiling water, to which lemon has been added (one ring). Depending on the size, they are cooked 3-5 minutes.
2. Cabbage is thrown into a colander and kept under cold running water until it cools.
3. Before adding the ingredient to the salad, it is dried with napkins.
4. Proceed to the preparation of the sauce. For these purposes take a deep bowl. Combine juice, oil, mustard.
5. Peel the daikon and cut it into thin strips, send it to a bowl of cabbage.
6. Peppers are cleaned of seeds and also cut into strips. Do the same with tomato. Products are poured into a bowl. Chopped greens are added there. You can use not only dill, but also celery, basil, parsley.
7. The dish is pepper, salted to taste, mixed with dressing. They eat it immediately after cooking, as when stored, the taste deteriorates.

Romanesco cooked in the oven with milk and cheese

This recipe can be used to prepare a hearty, but light dinner.

Ingredients:

• head of cabbage - 1 pc.;
• hard cheese - 100 g;
• milk - 250 ml;
• flour - 2 tbsp .;
• Italian herbs and salt to taste.

Cooking:

1. Boiled for 10 minutes, the head of cabbage is disassembled into inflorescences. You can boil the product immediately in the form of inflorescences, reducing the cooking time to 5 minutes.
2. Pour the flour into a dry frying pan and bring it to a golden color.
3. Pour milk in a stream, thoroughly mixing the contents of the pan so that there are no lumps.
4. Grated hard cheese is poured into a homogeneous mixture. The sauce is stirred until the cheese is completely melted, and mixed with herbs.
5. Cabbage is placed in a form, the sauce is evenly distributed.
6. The dish is cooked for about 15 minutes at the highest possible temperature.

Capers, Romanesco, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower appetizer

The recipe is for 6 servings. Season the ingredients with mustard oil.

Ingredients:

• Brussels sprouts - 350 g;
• colored, romanesco - 150 g each;
• lemon - 1 fruit;
• butter - 4.5 tbsp;
• marjoram - 2.5 tbsp;
• capers - 1.5 tbsp .;
• mustard seeds - 1.5 tsp;
• pepper, sea salt - to taste;
• garlic (cloves) - 1.5 pcs.

Cooking:

1. Garlic is thoroughly ground with salt, mixed with capers, softened oil, pepper, mustard, marjoram, lemon zest.
2. The heads of the head are cut off the lower part. The cabbage itself is cut into pieces, focusing on its size.
3. Pour water into a pan, salt it and bring to a boil. Brussels sprouts are first thrown, after 3 minutes - the rest of its species. After 5 minutes, vegetables are removed from the water.
4. All components are mixed with the oil obtained in the first stage.

Romanesco in Sabayon sauce

Cabbage of this type is tasty in itself, egg-lemon sauce only emphasizes the taste of the vegetable and allows you to make it even more unusual.

Ingredients:

• cabbage - 0.5 kg;
• lemon - 1 fruit;
• yolks - 6 pcs.;
• almonds - 5 nuts;
• wine (white) - 1 tbsp .;
• sugar - 2 tbsp;
• salt to taste.

Cooking:

1. Inflorescences of coral cabbage are prepared by steam for 7 minutes.
2. While preparing the main ingredient, knead the sauce. To do this, combine the yolks, lemon zest with half the fruit and sugar.
3. In order for the vegetable to retain its color, a bowl of cabbage is sent under cold water.
4. The sauce is put in a water bath, constantly mix it. Then squeeze juice from a half of a lemon into a saucepan and pour wine. With minimal heating, beat the contents of the container with a whisk.
5. To make the sauce airy, after thickening, beat it with a blender.
6. Salted cabbage, spread the sauce and almonds.

Is it possible to eat raw Romanesco cabbage

Romanesco is not necessary to cook, it can be eaten raw. This cabbage is so beautiful that it’s even a pity to cook it. In its raw form, the product is crispy with a nutty flavor. Cabbage is used with various sauces, it can be either meat, cream sauce or any other.

How to grow Romanesco cabbage

Romanesco cabbage is grown in much the same way as cauliflower. For planting, choose the site where the potatoes were grown and where enough sunlight comes in. This point is associated with one important feature - after the potatoes, the soil remains loose. It is undesirable for the predecessors to be representatives of cabbage, as new diseases can be transmitted by their diseases, perhaps the defeat of the same pests.

The soil should not be acidic. The best option is alkaline soil. Before planting seedlings, the beds are treated with lime or wood ash (per 1 sq. M used in an amount of 200-400 g). You can apply compost. It is important that there is enough moisture in the soil, so watering should be regular. It is especially important to observe this rule when forming inflorescences.

To get seedlings, seeds must be planted around the last days of April. The room maintains the optimum temperature, the maximum possible value is + 20 ° C. When seedlings are already observed (the process of their formation lasts about 24–28 days), it is reduced. At night it is necessary to maintain + 8 ° С, during the day + 10 ° С. These values ​​can be obtained by moving boxes, for example, to the balcony. During the growing period, seedlings monitor the level of lighting to prevent the process of stretching the stems too fast.

They are planted in the ground after severe spring frosts, not earlier, that is, approximately 1.5–2 months after sowing. But still, when planting plants in open ground, one should be guided by the peculiarities of the local climate. Mistakes made can lead to a lack of full-fledged inflorescences.That they are correctly tied, the temperature should be approximately from +17 to + 18 ° C. Between plants and rows observe a distance of 60x60 cm.

Germination is less than 100%, because the seeds are used in an amount of 3 pcs. (large and small). Harvesting is carried out in early autumn. Heads of cabbage are recommended to be cut in the morning, when they have not yet had time to warm up in the sun. They can not be overexposed, since the inflorescences can dry out and begin to rot.

Interesting Facts

1. In Italy, various salads are loved. As a result of experiments in the 15th century, Romanesco cabbage was obtained. In other countries, the vegetable began to be used in the 90s, when the Dutch improved it.
2. The vegetable is valuable not only in cooking, but also in science. Using the example of this cabbage, they explain what a fractal is, consisting of large and small identical parts externally. That is, the principle of self-similarity applies here. If we consider the Romanesque, it is based on small flowers, consisting of the same, but even smaller flowers, and those, in turn, from even more miniature ones. Surprisingly, such a plant appeared naturally. When considering cabbage, a Fibonacci spiral is observed, which unfolds from a central point. This is a number series in which each subsequent number corresponds to the sum of the two previous numbers. This series is as follows: 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.
3. Due to the unusual shape of the vegetable, jokes appear that he fell from a flying saucer somewhere in Italy.

Romanesco is cosmic in appearance, unusual in taste and very useful vegetable. It is an ideal product for the baby’s body and diet. It is difficult to grow such a cabbage; any violation of technology can lead to failure. But if you try and comply with the existing rules, everything should work out. The product saturates the body with a mass of useful substances, promotes weight loss by removing harmful substances and accelerating digestive processes, maintaining a healthy appearance of hair and skin. If there are no contraindications, it is worth trying this vegetable at least for its beautiful and bright appearance.

Photo cabbage romanesco